Happy 14th Birthday, Kayla!

 

Happy Birthday, sweet daughter.  You turned 14 this year and I'm still in disbelief.  How in the world do I have a beautiful, accomplished, graceful, intelligent, kind 14 YEAR OLD?

You  enjoy playing volleyball with your friends, cousins, and even at time, your sisters.  This year you told me early in the summer that you wanted to just play for fun, not worry about the school team.  I was so proud of you for looking at your priorities and deciding which things you want to pursue more seriously and which things you want to pursue as hobbies.  You were still courageous enough to try out for the team just to see how your skills were developing and what you could work on on your own for fun. This was challenging, I know, because there were a lot of you who were on the cusp and despite the fact that you really want to pursue your dance more seriously, it is still difficult to bravely try out for something and not make the team. I am so proud of your courage and your heart. 

You did get to enjoy a really fun volleyball tournament this summer with your cousin 

You long to be a big sister again, but have settled into being an awesome "big cousin".  You have had quite a few new nieces and nephews in the past year or so, and there are more coming! You adore getting to hold all the babies!

See what I mean?

You love hot cocoa. Random piece of information there, I know, but I had to share because I love that you have your sweet, warm comfort beverage and that you sit and enjoy it when you need a moment to relax.  You and I have been watching Once Upon a Time together and it's also part of our show watching experience to have hot cocoa with whipped cream and cinnamon like they do in the show.  

 

You really enjoy a good puzzle.  When Uncle Kevin's family came last Winter, he set up a puzzle contest.  Each team had the same puzzle and had to do it as fast as possible to see which group would finish first.  It was really fun and you especially enjoyed it. 

You don't love the cold nor the hot, you are very much a spring and fall girl in that way.  You will brave the cold for a good sledding trip and the hot for a fun pool day, but mostly you like to cozy up with a blanket and slippers when the cold weather sets in. 

Last year you were in the school choir with a few of your friends and it was so fun to see you develop more of a love for singing and music during that time. 

You have a special bond with your littlest sibling, Kolbe. You are a huge help with him when I need it and since he was little you have always loved on him.  That doesn't mean he doesn't drive you up the wall sometimes because he's a 7 year old boy, so he certainly does at times. 

You are excelling in school and can often be found reading.  You read new books you've never tried, and you re-read books that you've already read over and over. 

 

You are taking dance every day and working to get en pointe. You now take many different styles of dance including ballet, tap, Irish, contemporary, and lyrical.  In addition you participate in a number of technique and strengthening classes, so you are officially at the stage of dancing where you practically live at the studio each evening.  You are graceful and beautiful and we love to see your face light up as you perform.  You even choreograph dances for your siblings and friends and help them perform mini recitals. 

You love the great outdoors as well though this is one thing we need to work at making more of a priority.  It is so peaceful and calming to get out in nature to reset. I'm grateful I sometimes get to do it with you.  There's nothing like being out in God's big, beautiful creation with you. 

You are an awesome Christ-filled daughter.  Never lose sight of the things that truly matter.  I'm so grateful for each and every moment we have together and I can't wait to travel with you on our grand European adventure when we can make it happen. 

Kayla's Mommy/Daughter Weekend

 

As Kayla moves from girlhood to womanhood, we decided it was time for a weekend of fun and girl time.  Chris agreed to let me to take her for a bit of a staycation.  She came over and we went to her preferred restaurant, The Melting Pot. 

They gave us a fun slice of cheesecake to celebrate her birthday the following month as well. 

Fondue fun!

We noticed the lovely flowers blooming in our yard.

And the following morning we headed south to hike! We noticed pretty flowers there too!

beautiful lilacs!  My favorite!

Seven Falls

I love you, my sweet beautiful young lady. 

 Everyday my heart overflows with love and gratitude that God saw fit to bless me with you.  

You are such a treasure and it was incredible to get to experience a beautiful treasure of God's creative craftsmanship in nature with his beautiful creation of YOU. 

I love adventuring with you

"You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; 

you provide the people with grain, for so you have prepared it." 

-Psalm 65:9

Kayla, thank you for this beautiful time.  What a precious bit of time spent together laughing, adventuring, and simply being.  

Happy 13th Birthday, Kayla!

 

Kayla and her good friend whose birthday is a few days apart had a double birthday party.  They consumed lots of fun food, played volleyball, and crafted charm bracelets. 

They are such a great group of girls. 

I just cannot believe my first baby girl is 13!! She's a teenager!  How?

They are such beautiful new teenagers. 

ice cream sundaes are always a hit. 

So are photo booths

Kayla, you are such an amazing daughter.  In so many ways, I feel like I have failed you, but then I look at your kindness, your beautiful heart that is loyal to your friends, and the way you turn to Jesus and His Word when you are hurting, and I know I am pointing you towards the Way and that's all that matters.

 Jesus has got you, kiddo, and He will never ever stop loving you or fighting for your beautiful heart.  You are so very precious to Him and He is always waiting to listen to your heart, to your frustrations, to your pain, to your JOY!  He is here. 

Thank you for taking silly pictures with me and putting up with my weirdness. 

You are such a wonderful big sister.  You are patient, kind, and love to make your sisters and brother smile.  You always have a recital or play or game up your sleeve for them.  They look up to you because you are such a good leader and such a bright light.  

Kayla, my dancer.  You are just beautiful.  So graceful.  The smile on your face is priceless when you are dancing.  It's easy to see you are in your happy place.  We love to see you dance your heart out, darling. 

Thank you for hanging out with your mama even though I'm not nearly as cool as you.  

You are artistic and fun.  I love watching your creativity flow.  You color, sing, dance, draw, write.....it's beautiful to watch you grow into such a wonderful young lady.  

Thank you for being YOU.  

Never ever ever believe that who YOU are is unworthy of being shared with others even if some reject you.  YOU are beautiful, kind, unique, and oh so amazing.  Find the people you can be real with.  Find the people who will cry with you, laugh with you, listen to your heart, challenge you, and love you in ways that are true, good, and beautiful.  

Happy happy birthday, Kayla Cecilia.  You are so incredibly wonderful and I am so blessed to be your mama. 

Can't wait to write another birthday post soon since somehow almost a year has passed before I got this post written and your birthday is only a few months away!  I love your beautiful freckles especially in the summer when they come out strongest.  Summer is nearly here, sweetie, and it's freckle time!